Chapter Text
“Finally, club activities are done…”
Slowly, he navigated his way across the silent streets of Tokyo, every step feeling heavier than the last. Checking up his schedule on his phone, he tried his best to scavenge the small text he had written.
Cram school was next. He recalled some snippets he read of the upcoming topics during his break. Weaving a heavy sigh, he pressed onwards, occasionally massaging his temples to lessen the throbbing pain in his head.
His mind is blank, his vision is blurry. At times his body swayed left and right, struggling to keep himself upright. Passing by a nearby playground, he reluctantly stopped. It was almost sunset, so it didn’t come as a surprise that the place was empty. And at the corner of his eye, an empty bench, tucked near the entrance of the playground, was calling out for his name.
For a second, he debated to himself. He was already running late for cram school, but he couldn’t bear it much longer. His books, his bags, his body… he needed a break.
Yeah… a 5-minute break won’t hurt…
Using what little strength he had left, he dragged himself towards the seat, sitting down and taking off his bag that had been choking his body throughout the entire journey. There, he rests atop the bench, with his body laying against the backrest. He can… he can rest here for a bit…
“Huh…?”
However, instead of relief, his vision became more obscured. He could feel reality slipping away as his breathing became audible.
“Everything's going blurry…”
He tried to lay down atop of the bench in an attempt to calm himself down. As his consciousness began to slip, he- THUP!
…
…
Meanwhile, a green figure happened to walk by the street. He had just returned from the hospital, recalling how his father’s condition is faring better and remarked on how he could bring some snacks for them to enjoy together next time. The doctors are really understanding and encouraged him to do so.
Passing by that same playground, a familiar tint of purple caught his eye. Pausing on the spot, he noticed someone laying down atop the bench, unconscious. “That person lying down on that bench…”
It took him a moment to put two and two together. “Oh no… PURPLE!”
He rushed towards him in a hurry, hoping that he wasn’t too late. Purple wasn’t looking too great, his position looked uncomfortable atop the bench with his bag filled with books spilled out all over the ground. As Green kneeled down to pick them up, he noticed how his head is a lot more redder than usual.
“Purple, what happened?” He asked as he slings the bag onto his back. “Are you okay...?”
There was a slight groan coming out of his mouth, which somewhat confirms Purple was still conscious. Green racks up his head, wondering what could have happened.
“Wait, that's right.” Green recalled how they had to postpone their discussion about his draft seeing how Purple was burning up a few days ago. “You caught a cold and...!”
“...”
Right, at times like this he shouldn’t question everything just yet. Touching Purple’s forehead slightly, Green quickly withdrew it- his body was burning up. “Purple, can you hear me?”
“G- green…?”
“Your forehead's on fire…” He quickly remarked, helping him sit up straight. “Purple, can you tell me where you live? We need to let your parents know so that they can come and pick you up.”
“My parents…” He coughed. “They aren’t… home…”
“I see.” Well, that’s that. He can’t exactly force Purple to give directions, not in this state. And he couldn’t exactly leave him alone either. He was walking home peacefully just now, surely there is a solution…
Home… Wait.
“Purple, can you stand?” He lent a hand. “Here, sling your arm over my shoulder and try to hang on.”
Dazed and confused, Purple took Green’s hand as he hurled his arm across his shoulder. Handling him with care, Green dragged him out of the playgrounds and into the streets.
“Just hang on for a bit.” he reassured him, looking up ahead as he dragged his half conscious body somewhere.
<->
His house keys clashed together as Green struggled to take them out from his pocket. With Purple still in his grasp, he shoved the key into the keyhole and unlocked the door. Slowly, he guides Purple inside, taking note of how tired he looked.
For a moment, he looked around. “I don’t have a sofa for you to lay down right now…” he muttered under his breath. But then, his view fixed towards a room at the corner of the house. With a huff and Purple in tow, he quickly approached his room and opened the door. Green switches on the lights and fans to reveal his messy workplace.
Yikes. But still, letting Purple rest is his priority.
“There you go…” Green exclaimed as he lowered him down atop a bed. “Just changed that this morning. I don't have much space other than this, so you'll have to sleep on my bed for now.”
He collapsed on the spot, which Green assumed was because Purple was too tired. Green placed down Purple’s bag he had been carrying around beside the bed as he did a few rounds of stretches on his sore shoulders.
“Let’s see…” He pondered as he looked around in the room, “What else is he going to need?”
He heard a rather painful groan. “Purple…” Was it because his room was too cold? Searching for solutions, Green looked around the room. “I think I have some unused blankets down here somewhere…”
He pulled out a box filled to the brim with old bedsheets and blankets, the ones his family has safekept for years. Taking out a pretty clean and thick blanket, he approached Purple and placed it down right beside him. Green then kneels down to his level, placing his hand atop Purple’s burning forehead and pauses.
“Oh, right. Something to cool your head.” he said, quickly racking his brain for ideas. “What did dad used to do? He used water… No, ice…”
Green left the room, questioning whether or not they even have ice at home. He scavenges the fridge, taking out a couple of ice cubes and dumps it into a bowl. After gathering what he needs, Green returns with said bowl filled with water and a clean towel. He sat down near him, face turning redder, thinking on how he should approach this. Firstly, he dipped the towel in the bowl, and the next step is supposed to be wringing it out.
“Hmm…” He huffed in exhaustion. “Wringing out a wet towel is harder than I expected... My arms are getting tired already...!”
Green took in a few short breaths before attempting it again. After a few tries, he did get closer to the results he expected. But still, if Purple was still awake, he might comment something blatant about this.
He should’ve been.
“Hopefully, this will do for now. Just place it over his forehead and…”
Purple’s body winced for a bit, followed by another groan. After unfolding the blanket and laying it down on him, Green finally sighed in relief. “Okay, next is…”
“Right, food. I remember the housekeeper saying that easily digestible foods, such as apples, work best for someone with a cold.”
“Apples…” He got an idea. “I should check the supermarket down the street.”
<->
“Okay, I managed to get some.”
A little over 10 minutes later, Green had returned from the store, carrying a bag filled with apples. He placed his goods atop the dining table, wondering what his next step was.
“Purple won’t be able to eat these as is in his current state. How do I make it easier for him?”
Then it clicked. “That’s right. Dad used to make applesauce for me whenever I caught a cold.” It’s soothing, digestible and easy to chew. All he had to do was to make it for him!
So, uhh… how does he do that? Does he use a knife? No, a grater, right?
He quickly scavenges his equipment, collecting whatever he might need and placing it atop the countertop. After a few quick guides on the internet, Green started off by grating the apples one by one.
“Ack!” He definitely didn’t accidentally graze his fingers along as well.
“Dad used to make it so easy too…”
But he preserved through. Once he has a somewhat sufficient amount, he dunks it all into a pot along with water. He skipped the additives, thinking the apple is already sweet enough, and let it simmer until it was mushy. He did a few rounds of stirring before wiping out the flame. He scooped a decent amount into a bowl, and let it cool down under the fan.
All that is left is the waiting game.
<->
*Groan*
Hearing his voice, Green immediately got up from his computer and rushed towards the bedside to check in on Purple. Taking note of his condition, it seems that Purple was half awake.
“Huh…? Where am I…?” He heard his voice muttering in confusion.
“Oh, Purple, here.” As Purple tried to sit up, Green guided him to do so, letting him somewhat grasp his bearings before Green sat right beside him on the bed. “You’re awake?”
“Green…?”
“You need to rest. Your fever hasn’t broken yet.” He picked up the towel that had slipped away from his forehead and placed it back into the bowl of water. At the same time, he reached out for the food he made earlier. “Also, I tried making some applesauce for you. Would you like some…?”
Purple nodded slightly at his proposal. Gently, he handed the bowl over to him, placing it atop his lap. Purple took the spoon and picked up tiny bits of the food, chewing and swallowing it slowly.
Once the bowl was somewhat empty, Green felt relieved. “Good, looks like you can keep it down…” He took away the bowl and placed it back at its spot. He then got up and manhandled his body, laying him down to rest. After doing so, he looked down to his hands, feeling that his fingers were sticking together. “But you’re still sweating quite a bit. Your towel even feels warm just now…”
He tucked him beneath the blanket, arranging his arms atop the blanket. “Please, just try to rest.” He finally let it go. “I’ll go get you some ice water-”
THUP!
His hands were subconsciously grabbed, with the latter gripping it tightly. “Don’t…”
“Huh?”
“Please… Don’t go…” He muttered under his breath. “Don’t leave me… Alone…”
“Purple…” He sat down again, not letting him go. Was Purple thinking about his family? “Okay. Don’t worry. I’ll stay here.”
“...”
“Here.” He took the other hand and grasped them together. “Hold my hand. I won’t let you be all alone.”
Purple held them ever so tightly now, showing off a subtle yet genuine smile back at him. “Thank… you…”
There was silence for a bit. Purple slowly blinks, closing his eyes as he breathes out, letting his consciousness slip. Green, however, still stood by him, still letting his fingers intertwine in the other.
“I won’t go anywhere.”